Mobile Power Strategy

Mobile Computing Workstations
Developing a Mobile Power Strategy
to Support Quality Care
White Paper
Which power options are right for me?
One size does NOT fit all…

2Mobile Computing Workstations: Developing a Mobile Power Strategy to Support Quality Care
OVERVIEW
Hospitals today are addressing critical strategic
issues – growing patient loads, rising acuity levels,
staffing constraints, and more – by investing in mobile
computing workstations to improve nursing workflows.
Point-of-care (POC) technologies are constantly
advancing, and today’s mobile computing workstations
must be capable of supporting a diverse array of
applications, such as clinical documentation, bedside
medication delivery/bar-code medication administration
(BCMA), advanced telehealth and PACS/imaging review.
As hospitals invest in technology, it is important to
keep in mind that point-of-care applications all require
power – and must support mobile care over a full shift to
support clinician efficiency. Bedside technology – and the
power systems required to support them – varies widely
across the hospital. The demands on workstations in an
emergency room or ICU differ substantially from a typical
med-surg unit. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for
powering mobile computing workstations. Fortunately,
a growing number of power options offer breakthrough
performance in terms of runtime, durability, total cost of
ownership and more.
A mobile power strategy will enable hospitals to plan
ahead for growing power demands at the POC by
addressing four key issues:
1 Matching power systems to support hospital
workflows, recognizing the unique needs of different
departments.
2 Enhancing mobility and ergonomics designed
specifically for high-intensity healthcare environments.
3 Ensuring workstation compliance with safety
regulations.
4 Streamlining monitoring and maintenance.
To develop an effective mobile power strategy, hospitals
need an experienced partner. Key issues include
understanding the best uses for DC and AC power
architectures, the role of advanced battery chemistries,
how charging time impacts battery performance and
many others.
Government Support for Healthcare Technology Investment
The federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) is making available up
to $27 billion in incentive pay for resources supporting the integration of electronic medical records (EMR) over the
next 10 years. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, that represents as much as $44,000 through
Medicare and $63,750 through Medicaid, per clinician.
Eligibility requirements are closely tied to the use of EMR and eMAR applications – with specific metrics for how
frequently patient data is captured and accessed. Mobile computing provides the point-of-care access to meet these
detailed requirements throughout healthcare facilities.
To qualify for funding, hospitals must demonstrate ‘meaningful use’ based on guidelines issued in July 2010.
Hospitals have until 2015 to achieve ‘meaningful use’ of EMR technology or face penalties in reimbursement rates.

Mobile computing workstations are today’s leading POC
solution for bringing key applications to the point of
care, including:
• Improving patient care. Mobile computing
workstations save caregivers time and enable them to
spend more time with patients and educate patients
about their care.
• Improving nursing efficiency. Mobile computing
workstations support clinician workflows by bringing
real-time data, as well as needed supplies and
supporting technologies, to the point of care.
• Promoting hospital-wide efficiency. Mobile
computing helps to integrate operations, including
nursing units, pharmacy, lab, radiology and other
departments.
Power Systems: Critical to
Achieving Full Potential at
Point-of-Care
A workstation’s power system has a major impact on
the success of the hospital’s mobile computing initiative.
To help clinicians focus on delivering excellent patient
care, the power supply should enable workstations to
be used without recharging or battery swaps for an
entire shift. In addition, power systems must ensure that
mobile computing workstations are:
• Lightweight and easy to handle.
• Easy for IT/biomedical staff to maintain because
batteries are easy to monitor and rarely need to
be replaced.
• Capable of supporting a wide range of technologies
at the bedside.
In developing a mobile power strategy, hospitals
must address a wide range of considerations.
Examples include:
• Diverse workflows and applications. The power
demands in high-intensity environments such as an
emergency department, where continuous uptime
is essential, are different from other units where
workstations may be plugged into a power source
for part of the day.
• Regulatory issues. Under Joint Commission
fire safety requirements, workstations cannot
be recharged or stored in hallways. In facilities
with limited space mobile power options, such as
swappable battery systems that allow for continuous
use of their workstations, can address the issue.
• Limited IT/biomedical staff. In response to the
challenging economy, some hospitals have cut back
on non-clinical staff required to monitor and maintain
mobile computing workstations. Durability and
reliability become critical factors – and using the right
power system for the job is essential.
Understanding Your
Power System Options
Power systems represent a significant part of the
investment in mobile computing workstations. A
variety of power options are available, each offering
advantages and trade-offs in terms of runtime, weight,
and initial cost versus total cost of ownership. To
support increasing power demands at the POC, Metro
has been at the cutting edge of innovation for many
years, offering both AC and DC solutions.

In developing a mobile power strategy, hospitals can
choose from several power system chemistries (see
Figure 1), including:
• Sealed lead acid (SLA), which remains a popular
choice because of its low initial cost.
• Advanced chemistries, with a variety of options
offering substantial performance advantages over
SLA, including Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH); Lithium-
Ion Nanophosphate* (Li-Nano); and Lithium-Ion.
Figure 1 outlines eight key issues for evaluating which
power solution to choose to fit your workflow including:
• Battery life (the number of times the battery can be
re-charged)
• Battery capacity
• Runtime, which is determined by the battery’s
capacity and based on 35 watts of power draw
• Full charging time – the time required to recharge
the battery
• Output power
• Replacement cost
• Cost per cycle
• 5-year replacement
Battery Options
Lithium-
Nanophosphate
(Li-Nano)
Nickel Metal
Hydride (NiMH)
Advanced Sealed
Lead Acid (SLA)
Sealed Lead Acid
(SLA)
Li-Ion Swappable
Battery life 5,000 cycles 2,000 cycles 300 cycles 300 cycles 1,000 cycles
Battery capacity (watt
hours) 460 Wh 432 Wh 540 Wh 312 Wh 320 Wh
Battery runtime
(@ 35 watts) 12 hrs 11 hrs 12 hrs 7 hrs 8 hrs
Recharge time 4 hrs 3-4 hrs 4-6 hrs 4-6 hrs 4 hrs
Output power (watts) 120 W 120 W 120 W 84 W 120 W
Replacement cost
(including shipping) $1,700 $900 $150 $150 $2,000
Cost per cycle $0.34 $0.45 $0.50 $0.50 $2.86
5-year replacement 0 1 10 10 3
Year released 2009 2011 2009 2002 2009
Figure 1
Current Power Options
*
Nanophosphate technology is a registered trademark of A123 Systems, Inc. Metro Healthcare is an authorized user of the Nanophosphate trademark.

AC vs. DC – Issues for Mobile
Power Strategy
Power architecture is also a critical issue for
workstation performance. Mobile computing
workstations can be powered by either direct
current (DC) or alternating current (AC). AC systems
require an inverter to convert battery DC power
to AC and the computer or monitor’s AC adapter
converts it back to DC. This conversion results in
power loss, less efficiency and shorter runtimes.
Conversely, the DC architecture does not require an
inverter, allowing workstations to conserve power
and operate more efficiently than an AC system.
Despite the drawbacks of AC power, both AC
and DC power options can have a place in a
comprehensive mobile power strategy. Metro’s
line-up of mobile computing workstations includes
both DC and AC solutions. AC systems are powered
only by sealed lead acid (SLA) systems, while
DC systems are supported by SLA and a variety
of advanced chemistries that offer significant
performance advantages. DC solutions are the
best option when long runtimes are essential.
However, if 10+ hours of runtime are not essential
in a hospital unit, an AC workstation may be
sufficient. Advanced workstations are available in a
high-power AC model that provides a solution for
decentralizing fixed-point technology investments –
and bringing them to the point of care where they
are most effective.
Here is an overview of four primary power options.
• Lithium-Ion Nanophosphate (Li-Nano)
• Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
• Lithium-Ion Swappable Power Systems
• Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Lithium-Ion Nanophosphate (Li-Nano)
Introduced by Metro in 2009, Li-Nano offers vast
advantages in runtime and cycle life compared
to SLA and NiMH, providing a high-performance
lifetime power supply for mobile computing
workstations.
Li-Nano’s cycle life rating of 5,000+ is 16 times
more than conventional SLA and will typically last
the duration of workstation’s lifespan, based on
usage of 400-500 cycles per year. By comparison,
the technology on the workstation, such as PC, will
need to be replaced every three or four years.
Given this long battery life, Li-Nano offers a cost
per cycle that rivals SLA despite higher initial cost.
Over a five-year period, an SLA system will need to
be replaced at least 10 – 15 times while Li-Nano
is still going strong, resulting in a much lower
5-year total cost of ownership. Li-Nano delivers
high performance along with stability and safety
compared with older Lithium-Ion batteries.
Li-Nano offers the lightest-weight power option to
enhance workstation mobility. The runtime of 11 –
13 hours, compared to seven hours for SLA, supports
full-shift operation. Li-Nano also offers consistently
high performance throughout its lifespan compared
with other chemistries where runtime and reliability
begin to degrade relatively quickly.
Shipping of workstations powered by lithium is an
important consideration. The shipment of these
batteries often falls under U.S. Department of
Transportation Class 9 shipping regulations for
hazardous materials. Because of these restrictions,
most manufacturers must ship batteries separate

from their workstations. This adds complexity, cost
and time to the deployment schedule. Metro has
designed its Li-Nano system so it can be shipped as
an integrated solution, which saves time and money
and reduces complexity.
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
NiMH power systems, pioneered by Metro, were
the first advanced chemistries designed to provide a
revolutionary combination of high energy density and
low weight compared to batteries with equal capacity
and long cycle life. Today, NiMH is a popular power
option because it:
• Supports runtimes more than adequate for an eight-
hour shift (11 – 13 hours compared to
7 hours for SLA).
• Offers substantially more battery capacity (up to 500
watt hours, compared to about 312 watt hours for
conventional SLA) to improve flexibility to support
power-intensive point-of-care technologies.
NiMH offers a long life-span, providing enough cycles
to last the same length as a workstation’s PC and
other integrated technology. The power system can be
replaced efficiently as part of an overall refresh of the
workstation. NiMH provides an option midway between
the SLA, which requires frequent replacement, and the
of Li-Nano.
Lithium-Ion Swappable Power Systems
Swappable batteries have emerged as a viable option
for improving productivity and simplifying workflows by
ensuring continuous uptime. Rather than plugging in the
entire workstation, the swappable batteries are
recharged separately. Metro’s swappable system supports
up to eight hours of operation between charges, and the
batteries are easy for nurses to change.
While swappable battery systems remain relatively
expensive, they can be an effective part of a mobile
power strategy by:
• Supporting workstations where full-shift, high-
mobility performance is essential, such as Emergency
Departments.
• Providing a solution when a hospital lacks space for
plugging in workstations for recharging, or faces
regulatory limits such as fire codes.
Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Currently, most mobile computing workstations
are powered by SLA – the same batteries used
in conventional automobiles. SLA offers one key
advantage – low initial cost, but Li-Nano offers the
lowest cost per cycle. In more demanding healthcare
settings, however, this advantage may be more than
offset by SLA’s drawbacks, which include:
• Short lifespan. SLA systems with very good cycle
batteries typically last for only 300 cycles – compared
with 5,000 cycles for Li-Nano. Short life spans
increase the maintenance demands on hospital
IT/biomedical departments to replace batteries
frequently, up to 3 times per year per cart. This
frequent turnover with SLA systems requires hospitals
to develop a supply chain to ensure a steady flow of
replacements, which adds substantially to cost.
For instance, given the weight of SLA batteries,
shipping costs may equal or exceed the actual price
of the battery.

• Less runtime with each charge. SLA batteries
deteriorate each time they are re-charged, resulting in
shorter runtimes and less predictable performance.
• Sensitivity to heat/overcharging. This common
issue can result in damage to the batteries and
possibly off-gassing of the batteries, requiring
evacuation of the room or floor.
Despite these issues, SLA provides a low-cost option for
units that do not require full-shift operation or where
workstations are moved infrequently so they can remain
plugged in. In these settings, SLA supports power-
intensive applications such as telehealth, PACS and
fetal monitoring.
Making Advanced Chemistries
Work for You
Advanced chemistries offer distinct advantages for
clinical workflow and service- friendly replacement
cycles. However, advanced chemistry systems can
encounter problems if they are not properly designed,
implemented and maintained.
A key advantage to advanced chemistries is longer
runtimes – if they are properly designed and operated.
There is a delicate balance between designing a system
based on what the manufacturer’s specifications say
it can do and knowing how to design a system that
will last and perform well in a fast-paced clinical
environment based on clinical usage patterns,
recharging practices and other issues.
For example, most facilities need “full-shift” runtimes
and are pushing for faster recharge cycles. However,
when a battery is recharged rapidly, excess heat is
generated by the electronics and batteries, which
can negatively impact the overall performance and
lifespan of the system. Further, data from Metro’s
on-board diagnostics shows that customers rarely let a
workstations discharge below 70-80 percent capacity
before plugging them back in. Given this practice,
based on actual data, a system can be recharged within
one hour – rather than three hours if the battery was
more fully discharged – without generating potentially
damaging heat.
This example illustrates how, using data from actual
usage patterns, hospitals can operate more efficiently,
thereby maximizing the value of their investment in
advanced power systems.
To get the most from your investment in advanced
power options, work with a partner that understands
the unique environmental and user challenges in your
facility. For instance, Metro offers decades of experience
producing professional grade systems for healthcare
customers.
Advanced chemistries – properly deployed and managed
– offer substantial advantages over conventional SLA
batteries in terms of battery life, runtime, reliable
performance and cost per cycle. These benefits translate
into clinician satisfaction, smoother nursing workflows –
and better quality of care.

Developing a Mobile
Power Strategy
A mobile power strategy offers flexibility for adapting
to a hospital’s unique needs today and in the future as
technology evolves. Four key issues for developing a
mobile power strategy include:.
1. Matching power systems to workflows.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for mobile power.
Demands vary depending on a hospital’s workflows and
needs of specific departments. ICUs and emergency
departments have demanding requirements that put a
premium on full-shift mobility and continuous uptime;
swappable systems are the most likely solution. By
contrast, in some units, workstations may remain
plugged in throughout a shift. Hospitals should not
pay for an advanced power system when lower cost
solutions may be a better fit. Issues such as battery
capacity, runtime, recharge time and cycle life (displayed
in Figure 2) are key elements for evaluating which
power systems will optimize a specific workflow.
2. Enhancing workstation mobility and
ergonomic design.
For a nurse pushing a mobile computing workstation
over a long 8- or 12-hour shift, a difference of a few
pounds can make a big difference in productivity and
job satisfaction. Power systems have a significant effect
on the overall weight and mobility of workstations –
a critical issue for preventing repetitive stress injuries.
A workstation using an SLA power system weighs
about 27 pounds more than a similar workstation using
Li-Nano, which requires more effort to move the cart–
a major difference that adds up during long-term use.
0
40
20
60
80
100
120
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 4400 4600 4800 5000
Cycles
Charge Capacity
SLA
60% @
300 cycles
Li-Ion
75% @
1000 cycles
NiMH
70% @
2000 cycles
Li-Nano
80% @
5000 cycles
Figure 2 – Chemistry Cycle Comparison
Power system chemistries vary widely in terms of durability and performance.
• SLA systems begin to degrade almost immediately
after initial use, with performance declining sharply
toward replacement at about 300 cycles.
• Li-Ion systems degrade at a slower pace, providing
more consistent performance until replacement at
about 1,000 cycles.
• NiMH systems provide highly consistent
performance for most of a 2,000-cycle lifespan.
• Li-Nano provides breakthrough combination of
consistent performance for more than 5,000 cycles.

3. Ensuring workstation compliance with
safety regulations.
To protect patients and staff, mobile computing
workstations must be certified to be in compliance
with UL 60601-1 safety standards. The standards are
designed to prevent electrical shocks, fires and other
risks. Integrated workstations, such as those offered by
Metro, include a controlled electrical system designed
from the ground up to meet the specific demands of
intensive healthcare environments. As a result, the
entire workstation is certified – as a system – to be in
compliance with UL 60601-1.
4. Streamlining monitoring and maintenance.
To keep a workstation fleet up and running smoothly,
IT and biomedical staff need visibility into the health of
power systems. This is especially important when using
less advanced power systems that need to be replaced
more frequently. More advanced power systems
include “intelligence” that enables IT/biomed staffs
to remotely monitor power system health on a single
computer screen.
Using Metro’s Dashboard software, staff can monitor
information about the entire fleet of workstations,
including status, charge level, charge time, remaining
runtime and battery health. Such advanced monitoring
systems offer easy access to the details essential to
staying current with power system maintenance.
Further, enhanced monitoring provides the data for
hospital leaders to manage and budget for power
system upgrades and replacements. Metro’s Dashboard
also provides the tools to compare performance
of workstations individually and by department –
information that can help hospital leaders adapt the
mobile power strategy as needed to support reliable,
cost-effective operations.
With $27.4 billion available in federal incentives
available to support EMR deployment, hospitals
will make substantial investments in point-of-care
systems that meet standards for ‘meaningful use.’
In planning these investments, it is important to
hospital leaders to be aware of the growing power
demands at the point of care – and the options
available for meeting the specific needs in units
across the facility. In addition, workstations and
power systems that ensure reliable performance
will help build clinician support and keep projects
on schedule.
Keys to success include:
• Work with a partner that can help you evaluate
the many power options with an in-depth
understanding of the opportunities and pitfalls
associated with today’s advanced chemistries.
• Adopt advanced monitoring features that
provide fleet-wide visibility into the status of
power systems to ensure timely maintenance
and advance planning/budgeting for system
replacement.
• Ensure that your partner is looking to the future
and has a track record of bringing advanced
solutions to the marketplace.
• Measure performance and improve processes.
Mobile Power: Supporting
‘Meaningful Use’

Conclusions/Next Steps
As point-of-care technologies grow in sophistication,
a Mobile Power Strategy provides a foundation
for maximizing the strategic value of workstation
investments. Key issues:
• One size does NOT fit all. Evaluate the diverse
power needs in your facility, recognizing the different
demands placed on workstations in each unit.
• Know your options. This requires understanding
how advanced chemistry options can best support
your facility’s workflow – and the benefits and
considerations associated with each.
• Ensure scalability. Power demands at the point of
care will continue to escalate, so ensure that power
systems to scale as needed to support increasingly
energy-intensive solutions for improving care.
• Plan ahead. Establish a plan to measure
performance and improve processes to meet the
expectations of all stakeholders, including clinicians,
IT, administration and bio-medical staff.
• Choose a forward-looking partner. Finding the
right combination of power solutions for your facility
involves complex issues and fast-changing technology.
Work with a partner that has a strong track record of
bringing advanced solutions to the marketplace.

About Metro
Metro is a world leader in providing technology, storage and transport solutions
for healthcare facilities and other industries. Metro’s Healthcare Division integrates
its clinical storage products with market-leading mobile computing and medication
management solutions. Metro works with clinical software developers, OEM
business partners and value-added resellers to deliver patented integrated
solutions to medical facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
For more information, visit www.metro.com or call 800-992-1776.
About Emerson
Emerson, based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing
technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers
through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate
technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Emerson’s sales in fiscal
2009 were $20.9 billion.The company is ranked 94th on the Fortune 500 list of
America’s largest companies.
For more information, visit www.emerson.com
InterMetro Industries Corp.
651 North Washington Street
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18705
800-992-1776
www.metro.com LO7-031e
© 2011 InterMetro Industries Corporation.All rights reserved.
Metro Flo Series is a trademark of InterMetro Industries
Corporation.The Emerson logo is a trademark and a service
mark of Emerson Electric Co.All company and product names
are trademarks of their respective company.

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